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Saturday's Internet Edition, July 19, 2008.
Tiger Cruise brings back memories for WWII vet
Smith on board the USS Tarawa for nostalgic look back
By Paige Lampson
Staff Writer
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It was the trip of a lifetime as Stan Smith spent 10 days traveling from Honolulu to San Diego aboard the USS Tarawa.
Smith, who served in WWII and the Korean War, was invited to accompany his son on the trip that brought back nostalgia and made a lot of new memories. Smith was thrilled to go.
“The nostalgia was fantastic,” said Smith. “The ship was so big it was hard to get around; sometimes and I would lose my way. An enlisted man would come along and help me on my way.”
The USS Tarawa is a United States Navy amphibious assault ship, the lead ship of her class, and the second ship to be named for Tarawa Atoll, site of a Marine landing during World War II. The ship is 820 feet in length and can hold up to 35 helicopters and eight AV-8B Harrier II VSTOL aircrafts.
“You can’t go above deck without earplugs,” said Smith. “Those jet engines are roaring at 300 mph. They showed off to the guests by having shooting practice on boxes. The Harrier Jets would destroy a box and then bow their noses to the crowed before they landed.”
These trips, referred to as “Tiger Cruises,” are free of charge, and the majority of the civilians are wives and children of enlisted solders. Smith’s son, Gary, a professor at Central Texas College who teaches courses for the navy while the ships are out at sea, invited Smith along.
“It was great to be onboard during peaceful times,” said Smith. “The food was fantastic. I don’t know if everyone got to eat the way we did, but the officers sure eat well.” Smith’s son, Gary, holds the rank of Lieutenant Commander, so they were invited to eat with the officers on the trip.
Smith was also honored as being the oldest person on the trip by the captain. At 79, Smith is glad his war days are over. He remembers a time when he narrowly escaped being killed in WWII.
“Our ship was hit by a Kamikazi on April Fool’s Day right at sunrise,” said Smith. “One of the bombs went right through my sleeping compartment and into the engine room and killed a lot of engineers and the sleeping solders.”
Smith was glad for his lack of sleep that day.
“It was an invasion day and, being a signalman, I had to get up before dawn to prepare the ship,” said Smith. “I was in a very good spot that day.”
Smith was a Signalman 2nd class back in the 40s. His ship, an attack transport, was honored to bring the replacement flag that was raised at Iwo Jima. This was the flag in the famous picture shot by Joe Rosenthal, and Smith was the solider that got to take it out of the bag and hand it to the admiral.
There were almost 1,000 officers and 2,000 enlisted marines on the ship.
“It was like a small city,” said Smith.
The USS Tarawa has seen its fair share of action and is quite a ship. Part of the film Rules of Engagement (2000) includes scenes of actor Samuel L. Jackson filmed aboard the Tarawa.
“It was a wonderful opportunity, and I am so thankful to the U.S. Navy for their hospitality,” said Smith.
What is a Tiger Cruise?
Operation Tiger is the Navy’s code name for a very special guest cruise program. Tiger Cruises are offered periodically aboard Naval vessels during the last leg of a prolonged deployment. Ships are allowed to embark relatives and guests, eight years of age or older, who are not spouses, fiancés, boy or girlfriends, for the final leg of the journey home. The Tiger Cruise gives the opportunity to the families and friends of the officers and crews to experience a short cruise, and to see crewmen and women who are family and friends in action.
For each Tiger Cruise offered, the crewmen on board will be allowed to sponsor at least one, often two, Tigers for the cruise. The shipman will pay a nominal fee to have a Tiger on board to cover meals, t-shirt and other activity costs. Since each ship and crew, and each destination are different, each Tiger Cruise is also different. Each cruise will include activities that will allow you to experience, first-hand what it is like being at sea on a Navy warship. These activities will include observing flight operations, an air power demonstration, as well as participate in tours, damage control training and other fun hands-on activities. Keep in mind that your sponsor will still be required to perform her/his normal duties and stand watch.
For information on Operation Tiger, visit TigerCruiseQuestions@cvn65.navy.mil.
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